About This PhD Project

Project Description

Applications are invited for a 4-year doctoral studentship working on aircraft noise research.

The studentship is offered in the Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) at the University of Southampton to a highly qualified candidate working towards an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in the general area of ‘Transport and the Environment’. The project is sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc and will be supervised within the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in Gas Turbine Noise at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) at the University of Southampton. The successful applicant will join a strong team of researchers at the UTC and at Rolls-Royce Derby working in this area.

Reducing the environmental impact of civil aviation is critical to the growth of air transport and to the future of the aircraft industry. Ambitious environmental goals for the industry have been set by the Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE). These include a 10dB EPNL reduction in noise at take-off and approach for new aircraft entering service in 2020, compared to a datum 2000 level. Work undertaken in this project will focus on the achievement of such goals.

In this project, Rolls-Royce seeks to develop theoretical methods for predicting tone noise produced by advanced open rotor aircraft engines. Also assessment of installation effects is required, when the engine is installed on the airframe. The project will mainly involve theoretical work (mathematical analysis) and some computational work. Candidates should be UK nationals, or EU nationals with at least 3 years residency in the UK. A generous stipend is provided which supplements standard EPSRC doctoral rates with an additional allowance which increases as the programme proceeds. The studentship commences in September 2013 or earlier by agreement. Applications are invited now.

Start dates: 1 February 2013 and 26 September 2013 Closing date for applications: 15 April 2013

Funding Notes

This EngD project will be funded through the Industry Doctoral Training Centre (IDTC) http://www.southampton.ac.uk/idtc. The studentship comprises support from both EPRSC http://www.epsrc.ac.uk and an industrial sponsor.

To be eligible students need to have UK status or be a European Union (EU) national who has been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for three years prior to the commencement of studies.